Creative projects connect artists
Woodstock’s L.P. Fisher Public Library hosted a Fibre Day in May, attracting fibre artists from Fredericton to Riley Brook. The event filled the McCain Activity Room with creative projects, tools and materials – not to mention laughter and learning.
Sandi Langdon is a spinner and weaver. She said the gathering emerged from the urge to connect.
“I come to the fibre group here at the library when I can. We have a group that meets in Fredericton once a month, The Handspinners and Weavers of New Brunswick. (One of our members), Gabby (Mann) said, can we meet here? So we took it on the road.”
She noted that Maritime fibre artists often find community with like-minded crafters through the many regional groups and events.
Some Fibre Day participants brought knitting and sewing projects to work on, while others spun yarn using spinning wheels and drop spindles.
Heather Theriault set up her Inkle loom to make bracelets.
“Inkle loom weaving – also called card weaving or tablet weaving – is an ancient weaving technique that you can use to make ropes, ribbon, any kind of strapping,” she said. “I bought mine, but I know a lot of people make their own. One of the problems with weaving is it’s not that portable. This is small and easy to bring.”
Introductions around the room allowed people to share completed projects and some in progress.
Esther Vaswani brought a cluster of felted creatures.
“I started off as a wet felter after taking a class at the (Andrew and Laura McCain Art) Gallery,” she said. “Then I got into needle felting. I needle felt small creatures and wet felt their arms and tails, and the accessories are wet felted, with embroidery. I sell them at Small Works (Show and Sale, at the Gallery). I find it peaceful when I’m making them.”
Much learning happened through conversations, sharing tips and experiences, and hands-on opportunities, including a drum carding and wet felting activity Langdon set up for people to try. Afterwards, Langdon said she received a lot of positive feedback about the day.
“People said yesterday was fun. Somebody already said, When’s the next one? It was an opportunity to get out, meet people and learn something. It was the people who came that made it happen. We had a lovely bunch of people and so many talented people in that room, young and old. What I really get from all of this is that people need to be with people. In times gone by, people got together and had things like quilting bees and spinning frolics.”
Knit Night is every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the L.P. Fisher Public Library in Woodstock. Originally started as a knitting group by Rita Hawketts, the group welcomes all forms of fibre art.
